Abstract: The size distribution f(r) of powder particles is found, and the packing rate p of the powder particles is found based on the size distribution f(r) according to the following formula (a): p = ? i ? ? ? j ? ? r i 2 ? r j 3 ? f ? ( r i ) ? f ? ( r j ) ? r 2 ? ? ? r 3 ? ? p ji ? ( max ) ( a ) where f(ri): a frequency of i-particles having a radius of ri contained in the powder particles, f(rj): a frequency of j-particles having a radius of rj contained in the powder particles, ri: the radius of the i-particles contained in the powder particles, rj: the radius of the j-particles contained in the powder particles, ? r 2 ? : ? i ? ? r i 2 ? f ? ( r i ) ? r 3 ? : ? i ? ? r i 3 ? f ? ( r i ) pji(max): a void fraction in a hypothetical sphere having a radius of rj+ri around a j-particle having a radius of rj when the j-particle has i-particles most closely packed therearound so as be

Abstract: The size distribution f(r) of powder particles is found, and the packing rate p of the powder particles is found based on the size distribution f(r) according to the following formula (a): p = ? i ? ? ? j ? ? r i 2 ? r j 3 ? f ? ( r i ) ? f ? ( r j ) ? r 2 ? ? ? r 3 ? ? p ji ? ( max ) ( a ) where f(ri): a frequency of i-particles having a radius of ri contained in the powder particles, f(rj): a frequency of j-particles having a radius of rj contained in the powder particles, ri: the radius of the i-particles contained in the powder particles, rj: the radius of the j-particles contained in the powder particles, ? r 2 ? : ? i ? ? r i 2 ? f ? ( r i ) ? r 3 ? : ? i ? ? r i 3 ? f ? ( r i ) pji(max): a void fraction in a hypothetical sphere having a radius of rj+ri around a j-particle having a radius of rj when the j-particle has i-particles most closely packed therearound so as be

Abstract: A supply apparatus for prism-shaped chip components has two relatively movable taking-in members. When the members move relative to each other, flat surfaces thereof contact each other and a parallel space is formed between the upper portions of the two taking-in members. Relative movement of the two talking-in members causes the components in a storage chamber to enter the parallel space between the upper portions of the two taking-in members. The components entering the parallel space have the same thickness-wise orientation and are lengthwise in a supply passageway in a one by one in a state. The components move downward by gravity in the supply passageway and then in a discharge passageway.